LASIK FAQs
Will LASIK correct astigmatism?
Many people hear the word “astigmatism” and think it’s a disease of the eye. Astigmatism is a very common vision problem – and it’s simply a refractive error, just like nearsightedness and farsightedness. The good news is that with our state-of-the-art lasers, correcting astigmatism is no problem.
Astigmatism is irregular or asymmetrical shape of the cornea that causes distortion of your vision, or double-images. A common analogy to describe this irregular shape is that astigmatic corneas are shaped more like a football, versus a basketball. The laser corrects this abnormal shape just as it corrects nearsightedness or farsightedness. So if you’re nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, at Commonwealth Eye Surgery with All-Laser LASIK, there’s a very good chance we can give you great vision.
Is LASIK is painful?
Most patients have very little to no discomfort during the procedure. They are given numbing drops before and during the procedure. Most patients report a feeling of “pressure” sensation on their eyes during the procedure, but not a “pain” sensation. For the first few hours following LASIK, it is normal to experience watery or irritated eyes (some patients say it feels like wearing a dirty contact lens). During the first few hours following LASIK, we recommend keeping your eyes closed and sleeping. When you wake up, your eyes should feel better and you’ll notice improvement in your vision.
What happens if I move my eyes during LASIK?
At Commonwealth Eye Surgery, we use the most advanced, FDA approved lasers during your treatment. Our laser is equipped with the most advanced tracking technology available. In fact, our technology has the fastest multidimensional eye tracker that can track faster than the human eye can move. So, not only if you move your side to side, rotate your eye or move it up and down, the technology can track that movement,insuring accuracy and exceptional precision.
How long is recovery from LASIK?
Recovery time with All-Laser LASIK is incredibly quick. The day of your procedure, you’ll want to rest and relax with your eyes closed as much as possible. Most of our patients resume most normal activities the very next day. In fact, most patients are able to drive and return back to work the day after LASIK. There are some restrictions that you’ll need to follow as your eyes heal, such as no rubbing the eyes, no eye makeup and no swimming for several weeks after your procedure. After the healing process you can resume all normal activities - even if you’re super active - like scuba diving, skydiving, hiking, running, biking, swimming, sports, traveling. In fact, LASIK is GREAT for people with active lifestyles – no more worrying about losing a contact or glasses falling off or fogging up. All-Laser LASIK really improves your quality of life all around, providing you with more freedom and better vision.
Will you need a second procedure later in life?
Eventually, if you have enough birthdays, you will develop cataracts and will require cataract surgery. A cataract is when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy and dysfunctional. The lens of the eye sits behind the cornea, the cornea is where LASIK is performed. Cataracts will occur regardless of whether or not you’ve had LASIK. Cataracts generally occur with age, like getting gray hair and wrinkles, but can also develop earlier due to several factors. Eventually, most patients in their lifetime, will need cataract surgery.
Has LASIK been around long enough to be considered safe?
The first LASIK procedure was performed in the United States in 1987. That’s over 30 years of data. Over 40 million LASIK procedures have been performed worldwide. At Heaton Eye Associates alone, we have performed thousands of LASIK procedures. The FDA approved the first excimer laser for LASIK surgery way back in 1998.
Data shows that LASIK can be a safe and successful procedure, with no adverse long-term effects. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks. It is important that you select an experienced LASIK surgeon with an excellent reputation using the latest technology to minimize risk. It is also critical that you have a thorough and comprehensive eye examination to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for LASIK. Certain conditions can increase the risks associated with LASIK surgery or make the outcome less predictable, such as some autoimmune disorders, weakened immune system, pregnancy, breastfeeding, age and injuries or diseases of the eye.
If I have LASIK will I need reading glasses?
Presbyopia, or aging of the eye, causes a need for reading glasses around the age of 40-45. Presbyopia is a normal aging process and will occur with or without LASIK. With LASIK, you are going to enjoy great distance vision – driving, watching TV, and over time, you will eventually need reading glasses to see things up close starting in your 40’s. This is going to occur with or without having LASIK, but we have options for patients experiencing presbyopia to help reduce the need for reading glasses.
Is LASIK too expensive?
When you think about the cost for contact lenses, cleaners, solutions, prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses – having LASIK can actually save you money in the long run, not to mention the hassle and inconvenience. Over a lifetime, the cost of contact lenses alone for a person in their 20’s is estimated to be $29,200!* At Commonwealth Eye Surgery, our LASIK fees are affordable. And with no interest financing, our patients can enjoy LASIK for less than it costs to buy a cup of your favoritecoffee each day! So, you can enjoy freedom from the hassles of glasses and contacts without having to give up your lifestyle with affordable no interest payment plans.
Does the military allow LASIK?
All branches of the military have approved LASIK for U.S. military personnel and NASA has even approved LASIK for U.S. astronauts. Researchers studied LASIK eyes exposed to air streams of up to 400 miles per hour at a variety of angles to simulate skydiving or ejection from a jet and found that the air streams had no effect on LASIK eyes, other than dryness. Researchers also found that night driving performance after having Wavefront-Guided All-Laser LASIK, which is the technology we use at Commonwealth Eye Surgery was improved versus eyes with traditional blade LASIK. Researchers studied the effects of prolonged exposure to high altitude and found no reaction that differed from exposure of high altitude in eyes without LASIK. The military and NASA understand the benefits of LASIK’s “wow” factor! To thank those who are serving in the military and protecting our country, we offer a military discount.
Is everyone a LASIK candidate?
Most patients are good candidates, but there are several reasons why you would NOT be a suitable candidate for LASIK. For example, if you have cataracts or other eye diseases such as keratoconus. At Commonwealth Eye Surgery, you must be over the age of 21 and your prescription must be stable. Women who are pregnant or nursing are not candidates for LASIK.
The very best way to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK, would be to have a LASIK evaluation at Commonwealth Eye Surgery. During this very comprehensive eye examination, we will determine if LASIK is right for you – we measure the cornea and check the overall health of your eye, looking for any signs of ophthalmic disease or other problems. If you’re not a candidate for LASIK, we may have other vision correction options may be better for you.